Rory McIlroy Testing New Club At St Andrews Ahead Of 150th Open
The Northern Irishman is testing a new club as he bids for a fifth Major championship
Rory McIlroy is testing a new club ahead of the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews. Conditions are set to be firm and fast with emphasis of staying clear of the penal fairway bunkers so the four-time Major champion has been putting the new TaylorMade Stealth UDI 2 iron to the test. In the end, McIlroy did eventually put the club in play for round one and shot an opening round of 66. It has 16 degrees of loft, a lie angle of 59.75° and a Project X HZRDUS 65 105 shaft.
As expected, the 2-iron offers a significantly different trajectory to that of his TaylorMade Stealth Plus 5 wood. The Northern Irishman could therefore adopt the more "stinger" type shot to keep the ball under the wind whilst maximising ground distance and giving him the ability to shape shots more easily. In practice, McIlroy was seen carrying the UDI a little over 250 yards.
With the links nature of St Andrews, the change is likely to be temporary with the TaylorMade Stealth Plus 5 wood returning to his usual setup once the tournament has concluded. Rory also has a new TaylorMade MG3 low bounce 60° lob wedge in the bag at The Open
A post shared by TaylorMade Golf (@taylormadegolf)
A photo posted by on
The 33-year-old has not won a Major title since 2014 but arrives at St Andrews in fine form having contended in each of the three Majors this year. He opened with a second place finish at Augusta National before finishing 8th at the PGA Championship and T5 at the US Open. The Northern Irishman also claimed the Canadian Open title just a few short weeks ago.
This is a run of form which has left the World No.2 pleased with the state of his game as well as his mindset: "I'm happy where everything’s at, and I just can’t get ahead of myself. Just have to make sure that I prepare well the next couple of days and get myself in the right frame of mind for Thursday.
“There’s not a whole lot of new information out there on the golf course. I haven’t felt like I’ve needed to do anything. I’ve just sort of been in a really decent state of mind and happy with where everything is.
“I think that sort of confidence and contentment in my game, it’s a nice way to lead into a major. To hear your name (announced) as winner of the gold medal, Champion Golfer of the Year, it’s what dreams are made of. I still remember that pretty vividly. I’d love to replicate that on Sunday evening.”
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
McIlroy came agonisingly close to making history at the 2010 Open Championship at St Andrews when he opened with a 63 (-9), tying the then-Major championship record it what was only the eighth in Open history and the 22nd in Major championship golf.
James joined Golf Monthly having previously written for other digital outlets. He is obsessed with all areas of the game – from tournament golf, to history, equipment, technique and travel. He is also an avid collector of memorabilia; with items from the likes of Bobby Jones, Tiger Woods, Francis Ouimet, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Adam Scott and Ernie Els. As well as writing for Golf Monthly, James’ golfing highlight is fist bumping Phil Mickelson on his way to winning the Open Championship at Muirfield in 2013. James grew up on the east coast of England and is the third generation of his golfing family. He now resides in Leeds and is a member of Cobble Hall Golf Club with a handicap index of 1.7. His favourite films are The Legend of Bagger Vance and Tin Cup.
-
Watch Rickie Fowler Make Hole-In-One On Buddies Trip With Justin Thomas To Pine Valley
Rickie Fowler made the ace in the company of his close friend on the downhill par-3 third at the ultra-private course in New Jersey
By Ben Fleming Published
-
Charlie Woods Shoots 81 To Fall Short In Bid To Qualify For 2024 US Open
Charlie Woods carded a nine-over-par round in local qualifying to miss out on one of five spots into final qualifying
By Ben Fleming Published
-
'An Olympic Medal Would Be Like A Dream' - Lowry And McIlroy Target Success In Paris
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are ready to get back into the Olympic spirit later this year as they look to win a medal at the Paris 2024 golf tournament
By Paul Higham Published
-
‘I Think I Can Be Helpful’ – Rory McIlroy Opens Up On Potential Return To PGA Tour Policy Board
The four-time Major winner resigned from the board six months ago, but with the game still fractured, he could be about to return
By Mike Hall Published
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Tee Times - Rounds One And Two
Rory McIlroy plays alongside Shane Lowry in the team event, while a host of other big names are in the field too
By Mike Hall Published
-
'I Would Welcome It Wholeheartedly' - New DP World Tour Chief 'Delighted' To See Prospective Return Of Rory McIlroy To PGA Tour Board
DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings is looking forward to seeing European representation on the PGA Tour board once again as McIlroy returns to a role he left only late last year
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Prize Money Payout 2024
Nick Hardy and Davis Riley defend their title at the team event as Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry also play
By Mike Hall Published
-
Rory McIlroy Set To Make Shock Return To PGA Tour Policy Board - Report
The World No.2 could be returning to the PGA Tour policy board as a player director once again after stepping down from the role last November
By Joel Kulasingham Published
-
The Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Has A Unique Team Format - Here's How It Works
The Zurich Classic of New Orleans has a unique format, but how does the PGA Tour’s only team event work?
By Mike Hall Published
-
'Determined' Rory McIlroy Enjoying The Challenge Of Finding His Best Form Again
Despite another Masters disappointment, Rory McIlroy says he's enjoying the challenge of trying to find his best form again
By Paul Higham Published